I found out today that at least one person is reading this blog.  Saw Kerry Burtis from California - we were on the very first ACDA technology committee together back in the late 1990's (when ACDA formed the group just to ignore it).  He laughed at the photo of Philip's paper notepad.

 

But the real reason for this blog - and I swear I am not doing this to make those who could not make it to Chicago jealous - is that for a change I am not going to talk about ChoralNet or technology.  Kerry and I had our exchange after being witness to one of the most outstanding performances I have seen at an ACDA conference.

 

I began going to to ACDA conventions in 1973 (stop doing the math. Yes, I'm old).  I've heard many outstanding choral performances at ACDA as well as at Marktoberdorf, Namur, etc., etc.  Today I wept at the end of a performance, and those who know me personally would tell you that such a reaction by me would be totally out of character.  The instigators of those tears?  The University of Kentucky mens chorus.

 

Jeff Johnson prepared a programme and a group of young men that combined musicianship, vocality, and entertainment enough to warrant such a reaction not only from me, but the guy sitting next to me.  Kudos to Johnson, the men in the chorus, and to ACDA for inviting these guys.  The United States government should put these guys on retainer as ambassadors of USA goodwill and send them out across the globe.  I suppose that's impractical in this age of smaller government, but what a great thought.  I cannot describe what the UK group did but could urge you all to buy the DVD (not just the CD) so you might have a glimpse into what went on.  Here's a YouTube link that shows one of the pieces they did, but in an earlier format, not with the staging they did.